Presentation For Technical Writing

A Closer Look at the Profession of

Dental Hygiene

Prepared by:

Haley Russell

Be Prepared to Read

Dental Hygienists must stay up to date of all the latest information about oral health.

The best place to read up on oral health would be in the publications that the ADHA (American Dental Hygiene Association) puts out. These include: Access The Journal of Dental Hygiene

Other Useful Readings

Not only are the publications provided by ADHA useful sources of information, there are several other journals that hygienists like to read to further educate themselves. These include: RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist) Magazine Hygienetown Dimensions of Dental Hygiene

Readings of these journals and magazines are done on daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

Pertinent Readings As all the readings of dental hygienists are important, there are two

documents that dental hygienists review on a annual or biannual basis. These are: “The Hygienist Bible” or Wilkins Textbook The State’s Law Book of which you are practicing

There is a new edition of the Wilkins Textbook that is put out annually. “This book can answer most all questions pertaining to dental hygiene practices. It is a good source for review (Chilsom).”

The Wilkins Textbook is used more often by dental hygienist who are just beginning their career. One hygienist who has been working for 6 months said she would be lost without “The Hygienist Bible”. She said she looks at it at least once a week if not more. (Webb)

“Reading The State’s Law Book each year allows the hygienist to stay up to date on the laws of practice. This is very important because breaking these laws lead to suspension of the hygienist license and she will no longer be able to practice (Webb).”

Writing Requirements of a Dental Hygienist

There is not much writing requirements in the field of dental hygiene. Yes, there is patient charting that is required on a daily basis, but that is the majority of writing that is required.

Many hygienists send out cards/notes to first time patients, and some send out birthday cards to the children they provide dental care on. These are all hand written by the hygienist which makes the patient feel important. These are often done on monthly and yearly basis.

“Occasionally we write short programs to address schools, senior citizen groups, etc (Bridges).”

Enjoy Writing?

If you enjoy writing and want a career that has opportunities to write professional documents, dental hygiene has this option.

All the magazines and journals that are published contain articles written by dentists and dental hygienists, and these publications are published monthly.

There is an opportunity to do a lot of writing just as there is an opportunity to do little writing.

Should Students be Preparing Themselves for Reading and Writing before entering the field?

The answer is yes! Once a student has decided to major in dental hygiene,

she should then research the job and all it entails in order to have a clear understanding of the major she is entering.

Dental Hygiene students should be prepared to read a lot of text books and write and perform skits for school groups and civic group. Hygiene students also do informative writing for presentations and papers.

All students should be reading any health or dental related publication, information regarding communication and verbal skills. These readings will help the student to better prepare for the field she is entering.

Facts Students Should Know

The educational level required to be a dental hygienist is an associate degree. Most dental hygiene schools offer both an associate degree and bachelor degree. The profession is advancing, and a bachelor degree is becoming the more preferred credential.

There is also opportunity to advance one’s education to a master degree and doctor degree. These degrees offer opportunities to be educators, researchers, and Advanced Dental Hygienist Practitioner (ADHP). An ADHP serves the role much like that of a Nurse Practitioner. It is a profession that is growing, and one that is above that of a dental hygienist and below that of a dentist.

Continuing Education

Dental Hygienist are up for relicensure every 2 years. In order to get one’s license renewed, the hygienist must complete 40 hours of continuing education. These continuing education courses are available as home-study courses and classroom courses.

Pros and Cons Provided by Dental Hygienist Themselves

Pros Flexible hours for most

hygienist No night and weekend

work for most hygienist (larger areas do work longer hours than smaller area offices)

Meet a lot of different people

Good work environment Get to work with hands Opportunity to help

improve someone’s quality of life

Cons If proper technique is not

used it could cause health problems such as:

Back problems Carpal tunnel

Slightly repetitive Little opportunity for

advancement without further education.

Earnings

According to UAMS School of Dental Hygiene, the average starting salary for a dental hygienist with a bachelor degree is $60,000. This is based on a 4 day work week (32 hours/week) because the average hygienist works about 4 days a week.

Some hygienist work a full 40 hour work week and some work less than 32.

With further education a hygienist can earn higher wages.

Current Issues to Think About

Health issues that a becoming more prevalent in the practice is Periodontal Disease and treatment regimens for it.

“Issues affecting the hygienist is a debate deciding whether or not to allow hygienist to practice in a setting apart from a supervised dental office (Chilsom).”

Critical Journals and Magazines in the Field

Journal of Dental Hygiene

Access

RDH Magazine


The Journal of Dental Hygiene is a scientific publication provided by the American Dental Hygiene Association.

This journal provides the development and dissemination of the dental hygiene body of knowledge.

The journal provides scientific examination with the use of applied clinical research.


This journal provides information for practitioners, educators, researchers, and students. It has something for everyone.

It provides the following types of readings and writing related to dental hygiene: Scientific investigation Literature reviews Theoretical articles Short reports Special feature articles

Access

Health news Practice news Professional issues Legislative developments Managed care Product trends

Multiple practice settings Infection control Genetic engineering Women’s health New technology Periodontal trends

Access is also published by the ADHA, but it is a magazine rather than a scientific journal.

This magazine is prepared by using four colors which helps with eye appeal.

It provides information on the following subject matters:

Access

This magazine is a great source of information for all audiences from students to practitioners.

It provides articles that are lengthy and detailed and well as informative short articles for that reading on the go.

RDH Magazine

This magazine is similar to that of Access. It provides information as well eye appealing

graphics. This magazine provides information on topics

such as: Oral cancer prevention Continuing education Practice management Health issues

RDH Magazine

This magazine’s home page also provides informational videos. It also has blog support for the so the questions and answers can be posted.

This magazine also provides information for all audiences from students to practitioners.

Tips for Students

STUDY HARD!!! Ask questions if you are unsure about

something. Communication skills are more important than it

might seem. Remember what you learn in school and do not

take short cuts. It is very important to sit correctly and use the correct positions otherwise you will have back, shoulder, and wrist pains that could later lead to permanent health problems.

Something to Remember

“This job is about much more than performing a procedure. You need to have very good people skills, verbal skills, etc. Many people who come to you are scared, in pain, and nervous. You need to be able to relate to them kindly and make them feel at ease. You also need to be able to educate all types of people because a lot about this job is patient education (Chilsom).”

References "ADHA Student Member Community Service Award." Access

22.8 (2008): 56. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 24 Nov. 2009.

Bridges, Julie. Personal Interview. 25 Nov. 2009. Chilsom, Nicole. Personal Interview. 25 Nov. 2009. http://www.rdhmag.com/publications/ http://www.adha.org/publications/index.html http://www.adha.org/jdh/guidelines.htm "Industry News." RDH 29.9 (2009): 12-14. Academic Search

Premier. EBSCO. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. Nathe, Christine "The Advanced Dental Hygiene

Practitioner Model." Journal of Dental Hygiene 83.2 (2009): 50. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 24 Nov. 2009.

Webb, Katie. Personal Interview. 29 Nov. 2009.